Surgical treatment indications and outcomes in patients with spinal metastases in the cervicothoracic junction (CTJ)

Systemic considerations for the surgical treatment of spinal metastatic disease: a scoping literature review

Systemic assessment is a pillar in the neurological, oncological, mechanical, and systemic (NOMS) decision-making framework for the treatment of patients with spinal metastatic disease. Despite this importance, emerging evidence relating systemic considerations to clinical outcomes following surgery for spinal metastatic disease has not been comprehensively summarised. We aimed to conduct a scoping literature review of this broad topic. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases from Jan 1, 2000, to July 31, 2021. 61 articles were included, accounting for a total of 22 335 patients. Preoperative systemic variables negatively associated with postoperative clinical outcomes included demographics (eg, older age [>60 years], Black race, male sex, low or elevated body-mass index, and smoking status), medical comorbidities (eg, cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, renal, endocrine, vascular, and rheumatological), biochemical abnormalities (eg, hypoalbuminaemia, atypical blood cell counts, and elevated C-reactive protein concentration), low muscle mass, generalised motor weakness (American Spinal Cord Injury Association Impairment Scale grade and Frankel grade) and poor ambulation, reduced performance status, and systemic disease burden. This is the first comprehensive scoping review to broadly summarise emerging evidence relevant to the systemic assessment component of the widely used NOMS framework for spinal metastatic disease decision making. Medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists can consider these findings when prognosticating spinal metastatic disease-related surgical outcomes on the basis of patients' systemic condition. These factors might inform a shared decision-making approach with patients and their families.

Functional outcomes in the management of cervicothoracic junction tuberculosis

Background

We analyzed the clinical and radiological parameters influencing functional outcomes and neurological recovery in patients with cervicothoracic junctional tuberculosis (TB).

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of 16 cases of cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) spinal TB; 11 patients were managed operatively, while five were managed conservatively. Patients' outcomes were assessed at 1 month, 1 year, and yearly thereafter and included an analysis of multiple outcome scores, various radiographic parameters, and sensitivity or resistance to anti-tubercular therapy.

Results

Patients averaged 25.94 years of age, and typically had three-level vertebral involvement. They were followed for a mean duration of 24 months, and the duration of anti-tubercular therapy averaged 17 months. Patients demonstrated clinical improvement on Japanese Orthopedic Association score and Neck disability index (P < 0.005) starting from 1 month following initiation of treatment which continued in subsequent follow-up, along with change in radiological parameters consisting of mean segmental kyphotic angle from 18.98° to 15.13°, C2-C7 SVA from 16.13 mm to 22.61 mm, T1 slope from 22.80° to 14.66°, thoracic inlet angle from 75.35° to 63.25°, neck tilt from 51.81° to 48.33°, and cervical lordosis from 4.66° to -0.44° (P > 0.05) at the end of 1 year.

Conclusion

Tuberculous affection of the dynamic CTJ is a challenging scenario in clinical practice and its management involves consideration of disease extent, neurological status, and effort toward restoration of normal alignment of spine in sagittal and coronal plane to get favorable clinical outcomes.

To cross or not to cross the cervicothoracic junction in multilevel posterior cervical fusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Inclusion of the cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) during decision-making regarding the surgical level of multilevel posterior cervical fusion (PCF) surgery remains the subject of debate, largely due to a lack of studies on the topic. Thus, we considered that meta-analysis based on recent high-quality clinical studies might enable better-informed decision-making regarding the selection of the distal level of multilevel PCF, particularly concerning the advisability of crossing the CTJ.

PURPOSE

To compare the outcomes of patients who underwent multilevel PCF with or without crossing the CTJ (the thoracic and cervical groups, respectively) by the distal construct.

STUDY DESIGN

A systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

We searched the Cochrane, Embase, and Medline databases for articles that compared the intra- and post-operative outcomes of patients who underwent multilevel PCF surgery with or without extension of surgery to include the CTJ, using January 7, 2021, as the publication cutoff date. Group differences in primary and secondary outcome measures were analyzed for significance (p<.05). All reported means were pooled.

RESULTS

A total of 1,904 publications were assessed, and eight studies met the study criteria. The cervical group had a significantly greater fusion rate than the thoracic group (p=.03), but higher adjacent segment disease (ASD) and reoperation rates (ASD: OR=3.15, p=.007; reoperation: OR=1.93, p=.008). As regards surgical outcomes, mean blood loss was less and operation time was shorter in the cervical group (p=.008 and .009, respectively). However, mean hospital stays were not significantly different (p=.12), and neither were the rates of complications, such as metal failure and hematoma.

CONCLUSIONS

In the current study, fusion rate, blood loss, and operation time were better in the cervical group than in the thoracic group, but ASD incidence and ASD-related complication rates at the CTJ were greater in the cervical group. For patients with higher risk factors for adjacent-segment degeneration, crossing the CTJ may be warranted.

A systematic review of MIS and open decompression surgery for spinal metastases in the last two decades

OBJECTIVE

The primary intention of this review being to produce an updated systematic review of the literature on published outcomes of decompressive surgery for metastatic spinal disease including metastatic spinal cord compression, using techniques of MIS and open decompressive surgery.

METHODS

The authors conducted database searches of OVID MEDLINE and EMBASE identifying those studies that reported clinical outcomes, surgical techniques used along with associated complications when decompressive surgery was employed for metastatic spinal tumors. Both retrospective and prospective studies were analysed. Articles were assessed to ensure the required inclusion criteria was met. Articles were then categorised and tabulated based on the following reported outcomes: predictors of survival, predictors of ambulation or motor function, surgical technique, neurological function, and miscellaneous outcomes.

RESULTS

2654 citations were retrieved from databases, of these 31 met the inclusion criteria. 5 studies were prospective, the remaining 26 were retrospective. Publication years ranged from 2000 to 2020. Study size ranged from 30 to 914 patients. The most common primary tumors identified were lungs, breast, prostate and renal cancers. One study ( Lo and Yang, 2017)¹³ reported that in those patients with motor deficit, survival was significantly improved when surgery was performed within 7 days of the development of motor deficit compared to situations when surgery was carried out 7 days after onset. This was the only study that showed that the timing of surgery plays a significant role w.r.t. survival following the onset of spinal cord compression symptoms. Four articles identified that a pre-operative intact motor function and or ambulatory status conferred a higher likelihood of a better post-operative outcome, not just in relation to survival but also in relation to post-operative ambulation as well as a greater tendency towards suitability for adjuvant treatment. Even for the same scoring system e.g. tokuhashi and its effectiveness in predicting survival, results from different studies varied in their outcome. The Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) being the most commonly used tool to assess functional impairment, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status being used in two studies. 23 studies identified an improvement in neurological function following surgery. The most common functional scale used to assess neurological outcome was the Frankel scale, 3 studies used the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale for this purpose. Wound problems including infection and dehiscence appeared to be the most commonly reported surgical complication. (25 studies). The most commonly used surgical technique involved a posterior approach with decompression, with or without stabilisation. Less commonly employed techniques included percutaneous pedicle screw fixation associated with or without mini-decompression as well as anterior approaches involving corpectomy and instrumentation. 9 studies included in their data, the effect of radiation therapy in combination with surgery or as a comparison used as an alternative to surgery in spinal metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

We provide a systematic literature review on the outcomes of decompressive surgery for spinal metastases. We analyse survival data, motor function, neurological function, as well as the techniques of surgery used. Where appropriate complications of surgery are also highlighted. It is the authors' intention to provide the reader with a reference text where this information is ready to hand, allowing for the consideration of means and methods to improve and optimise the standard of care in patients undergoing surgical intervention for metastatic spinal disease.

Surgical outcomes and risk factors for poor outcomes in patients with cervical spine metastasis: a prospective study

Background

Few studies have addressed the impact of palliative surgery for cervical spine metastasis on patients’ performance status (PS) and quality of life (QOL). We investigated the surgical outcomes of patients with cervical spine metastasis and the risk factors for a poor outcome with a focus on the PS and QOL.

Methods

We prospectively analyzed patients with cervical spine metastasis who underwent palliative surgery from 2013 to 2018. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group PS (ECOGPS) and EuroQol 5-Dimension (EQ5D) score were assessed at study enrollment and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Neurological function was evaluated with Frankel grading. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for a poor surgical outcome, defined as no improvement or deterioration after improvement of the ECOGPS or EQ5D score within 3 months.

Results

Forty-six patients (mean age, 67.5 ± 11.7 years) were enrolled. Twelve postoperative complications occurred in 11 (23.9%) patients. The median ECOGPS improved from PS3 at study enrolment to PS2 at 1 month and PS1 at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. The mean EQ5D score improved from 0.085 ± 0.487 at study enrolment to 0.658 ± 0.356 at 1 month and 0.753 ± 0.312 at 3 months. A poor outcome was observed in 18 (39.1%) patients. The univariate analysis showed that variables with a P value of < 0.10 were sex (male), the revised Tokuhashi score, the new Katagiri score, the level of the main lesion, and the Frankel grade at baseline. The multivariate analysis identified the level of the main lesion (cervicothoracic junction) as the significant risk factor (odds ratio, 5.00; P = 0.025).

Conclusions

Palliative surgery for cervical spine metastasis improved the PS and QOL, but a cervicothoracic junction lesion could be a risk factor for a poor outcome.